Improvement in breech-loading fire-arms



2 Sheets-Sheet '1.

J. MOALPINE. Breech-Loading Pira-Arms.

No. 204,675 Patented June 11, 1878.

INVENTUFH JAMES M ALPI-NE,

)LPETERS, FHOTO-LIITHOGRAFHER. WASHXNGTON. D C.

J; MCALPINE, 2 sums-slum2. Breech-Loading Fire-Arms.

No. 204,675 7 Patented June 11, 1878.

INVENTUH'. \JAMEE MALPI NE.

WIJ'NESSEEI. 07. Q5. MM

BY JZYKMY O 'ATTYE:

N.PETERS. FNOTO-LITHOGRAPHER, WASHKNGTON, D 04 UNITED STATES PATENTOEEIoE.

JAMES MCALPINE, OF NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN BREECH-LOADING FIRE-ARMS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 204,675, dated June 11,1878; application filed January 9, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES MCALPINE, of New Haven,county of New Haven,and State of Connecticut, have invented a new Breech for Breech-LoadingFire-Arms; and I hereby declare that the following is a full and exactdescription of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings,making a part of this specification.

This invention relates to that class of breechloadingfire-arms which areprovided with a laterally-movin g breech-block and it consists, mainly,first, in the means employed to give the breech-block proper movement;and, sec- 0nd, in the combination, with these means, of certain otherparts, all of which will be fully described hereinafter.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the barrel andthe breech or stock to which it is attached, the breech-block, camblock,cartridge shell ejector, and lockingspring being removed therefrom; Fig.2, a

plan view ofthe same; Figs. 3 and 4, views of the cam-block detached;Figs. 5, 6, 7, and 8, views of the breech-block detached; Fig. 9, viewsof the cartridge-shell ejector detached; Fig. 10, a view of thepivot-pin of the camblock and the ejector detached; Fig. 11, views ofthe locking-spring detached; Fig. 12, a longitudinal sectional elevationof the stock and barrel, with the breech-block, cam-block, and cartridgeejector in their proper positions; Fig. 13, a transverse sectionalelevation taken in front of the breech-block, showing the recess inwhich the ejector lies; Figs. 14 and 15, views of the cam-block andejector; and Figs. 16, 17, and 18, various views of the camblock andlocking-spring.

To enable others skilled in the art 'to make and use my invention, 1will now proceed to describe fully its construction and manner ofoperation.

A, Figs. 1, 2, and 12, represents the breech or stock of the fire-arm,which maybe cona Fig. 1, represents a transverse opening adapted toreceive the pivot-pin F, Fig. 10, of the cam-block, and a a recess, inwhich lies the stud 9, Fig. 11, of the locking-spring G, p

hereinafter described.

M, Fig. 1, represents a mortise through the V breech in a lateraldirection, the size and shape of which are indicated by the full anddotted line a, as shown. This mortise also extends through the breech ina vertical direction, as shown in Fig. 2.

00 Fig. 13, represents a recess in the breech adapted to receive thecartridgeejector shown 1 in Fig. 9.

B, Figs. 1, 2, and 12, represents the barrel,

of any proper form, which is secured to the breech-stock in any suitablemanner.

0, Figs. 5, 6, 7, .8, and 12, represents the breech-block, consisting ofthe main portion 0, Fig. 5, having an outline of a parallelopiped,

the recess 0, and inclined face 0 Figs. 5 and 12, at one end, and thediagonal groove or recess 0 Fig. 6, iormed in its lower face, as shown.be observed, is curvedfrom edge to edge, as shown in Fig. 7, for thepurpose of adapting it to rest properly upon the cam, as shown in Fig:12.

c, Fig. 12, represents a removable stop-pin, which, when in place,prevents the complete withdrawal of the breech-block fromth'e the ringof the ejector, as shown in dotted lines, i

Fig. 14, and the segmental flange 01 having recesses d d, and upon oneside with the lever-handle W, as shown.

d Figs. 12 and 16, represents a shoulder, by means of which the ejectoris actuated, as will be hereinafter described.

E, Figs. 9, 12, 14, and 15, represents the ejector or extractor forwithdrawing the shell of the cartridge after the latter has beenexploded, consisting of the ring 6, Fig. 9, and the bent arm 6 havingthe right-angled projections e, the latter of which is provided with aninclined face, for purposes hereinafter explained.

The surface of the lower face, it will a dotted lines, Fig. 16, andprovided at the other with a right-angled stud or projection, g, asshown.

The independent parts having been constructedin the manner hereinbeforedescribed,

the same may be introduced into the breech for the purpose of making thefire-arm complete in the following manner: First, insert the ejector,Fig. 9, into the recess a Fig. 13, of the breech then slide thebreech-blockinto the mortise, as indicated in dotted lines, Fig.

13; then insert the cam-block into place through the opening below, andadjust the parts so that the flange d will lie in the groove 0 as shownin Fig. 12 then pass the pin, F through the openings in the frame,ejector, and cam-block, and screw the locking-spring to place.

When thus united, the operation will be substantially as follows Thefire-arm having been loaded and properlyoperated to bring fits partsinto the position shown in Fig. 12, it

may be fired in any proper manner to explode the cartridge.

After having been fired, the lever-handle d mustbe moved downward andforward, by which means the cam-block is actuated to open. the breechand throw out the cartridge.

The breech is opened, it will be understood, by the revolution of thecam-block on its axis, by which means its flange is caused to bearagainst the rear side of the groove of the breech-block and .move thelatter in a lateral direction, the principle of operation being the sameas that found in the wellknownvworm-screw and rack-bar, the flange-of-tlie cam-block forming, in fact, a segment of a worm-screw, and thebreech-block a portion of a rack-bar.

The cartridge-shell is ejected, it will be understood, by the contact,at the proper time, of the shoulders d, Fig. 15, of the cam-block withthe arm of the ejector, by which means the latter is caused to move in arearward direction and eject the shell, as shown in Fig. 15, connectionbeing made with the shell by means of. the projection 6 which extendsinto position behind the flange, as shown in Fig. 14.

"A fresh cartridge having been inserted in the the breech, it will becarried home to its firing position by "a reverse movement of the lever,the movement of the cartridge being effected by the contact with thehead of the same of the inclined face 0 of the cartridge-block as thelatter moves laterally to place. By this movement of the breech-block,also, the ejector is returned to its normal position, this result beingeffected by the contact of the end of the block with the inclined faceof the projection c", as indicated in dotted lines, Fig. 14.

By means of the locking-spring G the lever d is securely held in eitherposition against accidental movement, this result being accomplished bythe projection of its stud either into the recess d or d of thecam-block, as shown in Figs. 16 and 18.

Some of the advantages of the described construction are as follows: Themovements of the acting parts are positive, so that failure of operationis impossible. The parts are simple and few in number, so that theconstruction is not complicated or expensive. The breech-block, beingfully supported in-the rear, is adapted to resist the strain andabsolutely prevent back-fire. The breech is tightly closed when theparts are in firing position, and yet is readily opened when desired forthe purpose of ejecting the cartridge-shell and inserting a freshcartridge.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In combination with the lateral-movingbreech-block O, theactuatingcam D 01 made in one piece, having the lever d", as described,the construction being such that by the movement of the lever thecam-block is actuated to give the breech-block reciprocating movement ineither direction, as may be desired, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the breech -block, the actuating cam-block andthe ejector, substantially as described.

3. In combination-with the cam-block having the recesses, the,locking-sprin g, as described.

JAMES MGALPI'NE.

Witnesses:

A. HAHN ROBERTSON, S. H. KIRBY.

